This is the breathtaking moment a group of dolphins are captured on camera swimming alongside a boat of rowers near their local club in Cornwall.
The incredible sight was recorded by a member of the Helford River Gig Club as she went out rowing with the rest of her team mates Wednesday morning (Jan 8).
Up to 20 dolphins were spotted peacefully dipping in and out of the water right beside them.
The footage was uploaded onto the club's Facebook page on Wednesday night with the caption: "We spent 2 hours this morning rowing with around 20 dolphins up and down the river!
"It was a magical experience and wanted to share the experience with u all care of this great video Ann shot!"
It has since been watched more than 17,000 times and has garnered hundreds of likes and almost 500 shares.
A spokesperson for the club in western Cornwall said the aquatic mammals don't usually swim around the part of the river where the rowers were.
He added: "We sometimes see dolphins nearer the mouth of the river, but rarely this far up the river.
"We often see a couple of seals and have also seen porpoises, but this viewing was a rare and magical one with them so close."
He described the moment as "breathtaking" and said how great it was "to be so close to nature on such a beautiful day".
"We feel so fortunate as this is a once in a lifetime experience for sure," he added.
Lots of people have flocked to the club's Facebook page to comment on the magical moment.
One user said: "What an awesome experience. How fantastic must that have been."
Another said: "Wow how wonderful you lucky lucky people x"
"What a wonderful experience, they are such friendly intriguing animals," a third added.
Helford River is situated in the west of Cornwall, approximately five miles south-southwest of Falmouth.
